5 Must Know Drumming Technique Lessons for EVERY Beginner

[@sccdrum93]

→ KNOW WHAT TO PRACTICE! Build 4-way independence, Grip your sticks for speed & fluidity, and Reach your musical goals with the FREE e-guide, “The 3-Part Daily Practice Routine.” www.thenonglamorousdrummer.com/the-3-part-daily-practice-routine

[@EasyHeat]

I'm a thumbs up, palms facing, middle finger fulcrum player. Palms facing reduces index finger friction, and anyone who's played for a seriously extended amount of time, only to look down at their hands to the horrors of having burned through multiple layers of index finger skin, knows how important it is to reduce friction. Ha! I also can't stress enough the importance of understanding the best overall personal ergonomics when initially setting up a kit. Seems trivial & irrelevant, especially for a kid starting out. I know it was for me as a kid 30 years ago, but it's really crucial to carefully plan out the correct height and distances measurements for each piece of the kit & throne. Ideally, you'll want your knees and thighs at a 90 degree angle from your core. Meaning your upper legs are parallel to the floor. Also, you'll want the snare, toms, and cymbals placed where they can be reached fluidly, and without having to overly bend your overall center core dramatically to access. Trust me... As a self taught and published former touring/session drummer with over 30 years of hard rock/metal experience? It will save you in the long haul from suffering severe joint, ligament, and tendon damage from the prolonged repetitive motions and impacts inherent to the instrument that I'm having to deal with now at age 45. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It is possible to simultaneously play "harder" and also play "smarter", but ignoring the later is really only going to take away extra years of endurance & stamina from you in the end. Also, PROTECT YOUR HEARING!!! "what?!" LMAO! This concludes my TED talk... Cheers. .

[@kellyyetter1355]

All young bucks watching this have no idea how lucky they are today to get great free videos from guys like yourself today. I started back in the late 70's and the only lessons available were to pay at your local music shop. Lol ! Thank you for showing us what you've learned and picked up on over the years playing. And as far as videoing & recording yourself, I couldn't agree more ! 🥁 😎

[@nowisthetime7461]

Very true. To me, the drummers of today seem so much better than back in the 60's and 70's when I was learning. I think a lot of it is access to online videos for ideas, music, instruction, and techniques.

[@leobottaro]

Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:14 - Tip #5 Thumb placement is everything! 3:06 - Tip #4 Don't slide your foot up the pedal 6:01 - Tip #3 Closed Cymbal angle 7:25 - Tip #2 Don't use the shaft of the stick on crashes 10:14 - Tip #1 Leg bounce for keeping the tempo 14:08 - Go Practice!

[@darylwilson4069]

I don't agree with #5. I've taught for thirty years and have been playing professionally for 55 years. Having your thumb to low makes you lose control of the tip of the stick. I agree that the rebound is important but when you want control your thumb and second finger should work as one. Just my opinion.

[@xianfengyan6636]

I’m confused with this too when I thinking about my thumbs! Lower my thumbs, the stick will move up and up and lost the control if it !

[@beeamos5903]

Its a situational thing. I had a knee jerk reaction to this as well until I remembered I do this exact same thing at certain times. Different genres, dynamics, and styles require these types of differences. I dont think hes saying its an always thing, he just wasnt super clear on this either way.

[@wickedwidget3812]

I agree with you Daryl Wilson. 💯 I am a beginner that has had a love for the drums all 42 years of my life a d as far as I knew thumb was supposed to be on the side not on the lower part of the shick

[@juhapeltola8232]

I totally agree. Thumb so low takes out power and control. You can easily see when thumb is hold so low the whole wrist motion is pretty much gone.

[@kiplingtturner]

Yeah this guy🎉 I am so apprehensive of guys acting like teachers when I think they're just trying to wreck students... And then he says “find your comfort zone” take lessons at guitar center

[@mypetdrgn]

Dude! I’ve been playing for over 49 years… you’re spot on! You have a VERY good way of explaining things… really appreciate your down to earth way. You’ve probably mentioned this in other vids, but I’ll contribute anyway. Speaking on the feet, balance is very key, especially for double kickers. I tend to use combo heel toe depending on the sound I want, say from the kik. Burying the beater can pitch the head if you need it to…. for efx. The hi hat heel toe can do the same… Anyway… really appreciate your vids and glad I stumbled upon! Cheers!!

[@SaintNine]

Me too (been playing 49 years and use a combination of heel/toe on the pedals). I've been using the leg bounce pretty much since I started playing, it just came naturally to me. I have a double pedal and will use toe for double bass drum patterns, but I use heel for fills/rolls. I also use toe for step patterns (Sly beat, steppers, 4-to-the-floor). Similarly for the hi-hat. I use toe for ¼ note or ⅛ note, constant chicks, heel for most other stuff, particularly for ‘barks’ - thanks for that bit of terminology, I hadn't heard them called that before. I just called them open hi-hat notes, which is a bit long-winded and clumsy. Any idea why they're called barks, or is it a name you came up with? They don't really sound like barks, so I'd guess it has to do with the hi-hat opening its ‘jaws’. My suggestion for an alternative name would be ‘soups’. I don't know if you did the same, but that typical, 70s disco beat with the open hi-hats on the ‘ands’ (ie 1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and), we called that a ‘pea soup’ hi-hat pattern. While writing that last bit I didn't call them barks because (I'm guessing here, but it feels right) they're more sustained. I'm guessing barks are shorter, almost choked ‘soups’? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts re terminology in general. That goes for anyone here. For example, another one there's some confusion with is rim shots. A rim shot can refer to what I also call a ‘hoop crack’ or a rim click/side stick. I tend to use rim shot to refer to hoop cracks exclusively and use rim click for side stick rim shots.

[@ibbumpn]

I played for a good 30 years with my thumb under the stick. Then I began to notice that EVERY drummer I admire, from local players to well-known names, plays with their thumb on the stick (actually I'm not sure what Brian Blade does so he could be a notable exception). So I began experimenting and I was immediately happy with the results. Then I went through the quite painful process of making the switch. Which meant adjusting my setup to a slightly more flat orientation and playing a handful of shows handicapped by the new grip. I've now fully transitioned and I got to say it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. The additional precision that comes with a more controlled fulcrum opened up my playing to a whole new range of possibilities and breathed some new life into my music. As with all technique lessons I advise people to take it with a grain of salt, explore the possibilities and find what works best for them.

[@ToomanyFrancis]

I have never seen a successful drummer that plays with an open fulcrum like Stephen's. It gives you more rebound and might provide a better sound, but it takes away almost all control.

[@npittman82]

I was drawn to this vid by the thumbnail saying not to put your thumb on the stick. I've literally never heard that and I've been drumming for over 20 years. The thumb on the stick provides control and helps with power. It's literally one of the main parts of the fulcrum. Where exactly is Steph's fulcrum if not on his thumb? Just the top of his thumb? I've seen people move the fulcrum from the pointer finger to the middle finger, but never do anything different in terms of thumb placement. Steph's demonstration of the stick's natural rebound being inhibited with the thumb on the stick is also ridiculous. It's literally the fulcrum where the stick pivots. You could technically drum with no fingers aside from your thumb and pointer, but Steph's technique would cause your stick to fall out of your hand.

[@drummermomcjs]

Great stuff Stephen! I have played drums for over 40 yrs and am just learning some of these things. I was a self-taught drummer and stagnated in mediocracy for decades. Though I regularly played in public with bands amazingly I didn't know some of these basic things. These little tips are so useful and can propel your drumming to places you only dreamed of. Thank you Stephen fo this video.

[@hwoarangmain9296]

Cheers bro, I have been on and off drumming for the last 8 years, I'm pretty much still a beginner but you've rekindled the fire in me to start playing the drums again!

[@NickC84]

Dude the thumb thing made my freakin day, I'm like BRAND new and knew I was doing something wrong but could NOT figure out why my strikes weren't like the tutorials. The thumb placement nailed it.

[@uriahfancher2574]

I don’t feel the same way about tip #5. I find that doubles are much easier to control and keep strong while still being relaxed when your thumb is on the side of the fulcrum. When I try to cradle the stick with my thumb like you said it seems to hinder me from using my fingers. But I don’t know I guess it’s just a preference thing. But it feels like a lot of your videos present these tips like they are the only way to do these things or even the best way. Like I guess if they work for you it’s good to share but you can’t present them as if everyone else is wrong for doing something else that works better for them. But all love and respect you’re obviously an awesome drummer and for that I applaud you.

[@treycross5618]

Yeah I think a lot of people would say that tip is actually blatantly wrong... I had several teachers fix my thumb when it wasn't on the stick. When it's so low, there isn't really a fulcrum anymore! Not to mention how many times this guy mentioned "volume, power, and speed". How many gigging drummers are out there trying to play even louder? Isn't it usually the opposite or am I crazy?

[@Ridebmx34521]

9:12 12:12 he simply does not apply what he says in tip #5. Rather, he plays with his thumbs in a reasonable and functional position. Ironically his back fingers are flying and look somewhat tense around 12:12. He seems to not understand the difference between contact, and pressure and their relationship to rebound. Plainly, he never learned how to have maximum contact with no pressure or move his hand with the natural rebound of the stick. Seeing people with click bait emerge as an “authority” because their production quality is high and their channel name is humble is fine and all for anyone with experience, but it’s damaging for new players.

[@beatnicksbeats]

Mike Mangini has the fastest hands in the business and his thumb and fingers almost pinch the fulcrum so what this guy is saying, in my opinion, only really applies at slower speeds when you need to be more fluid and loose. Loose doesn't always mean fast though and clearly when he wants to play faster his grip tightens slightly.

[@alancarver2511]

If you want to play with power, tip #5 is a big no no. Always take tips that come from people who play like you would want to play. If you want to play like Stephen, then it's fine.

[@dustyclamper56]

@@treycross5618 Yeah you're crazy 🤪 Lol

[@jimbeauwalsh7912]

I started playing drums in 1959 ... yeah that's not a typo .. and still play and do live and session work. these are very good tips for beginners and beyond and I commend your efforts!

[@rebelheart8315]

Can I ask you a question sir? You look experienced that's why I'm 17 and have no experience in drumming If I start now can I make it pro Thanks for your time 😁

[@kellyyetter1355]

@@rebelheart8315 you can absolutely become a pro starting at 17 ! It all depends on how bad you want it. Practice practice practice ! Stick control is key so get yourself a practice pad. And make that practice pad your best friend 😎 Good luck & God bless

[@hddrummer29]

Generally great information, but tread lightly with tip #5 on thumb placement, especially with beginners - this advice contradicts all 'by the book' instruction. The 'cradling' concept is definitely valuable when stressing the importance of comfort/feel over rigidity in the grip, but perhaps not the first (or fifth?) thing a beginner should learn.

[@faperito2389]

100% agreed. That's no beginner stuff at all!

[@Lanishathe]

@@faperito2389 yup, won’t do that for now, as my grip is correct.

[@danieljohnson411]

In marching if you held your sticks like this I guarantee your stick would fly into the crowd or be stolen by a patient in the mental state hospital during Christmas parades. Guaranteed

[@mypetdrgn]

Ha Ha! That’s a good one!!

[@whoisfish]

Exactly. Tip 5 is harmful to teach new drummers. The thumbnail for this video shows tip 5 and it is the opposite of what you should teach. Your thumb should be on the side (not slightly underneath) so you have the most control on the stick. Not for beginners!

[@ir0n_bb170]

With your grip tips i achieved clean doubles at 200bpm,paradidles at 170 and everything is very smooth,especially behind the kit. I neglected those things,and got frustrated everytime I approached the drums because my doubles,paradidles and singles were sloppy and I was stiff behind the kit. Man,I want to thank You soo much for everything You do,Your tips are really helping me.Even my drum teacher didn't told me about those things and just by watching your videos and your ebooks, I feels like I'm growing on the drums every time I practice..Thank You! :) Work smart,not hard!

[@Ridebmx34521]

I’d love to see a video of those doubles and paradiddles with this technique to evaluate the consistency of sound and rhythm you achieved. Not meant as a shot at you or anything. I’m genuinely curious since this grip doesn’t exactly facilitate any real control and would love to evaluate your results since I’m an educator. Thanks.

[@Spladoinkal]

@@Ridebmx34521 I agree that the middle finger fulcrum isn't as easy to get consistent but I've learned to be pretty good with clean doubles with it as well as pretty good with Moeller with the index finger fulcrum. Just takes more practice. I tend to play middle fulcrum on everything but jazz and concert snare stuff (I'd use index fulcrum on marching too but I don't really do marching stuff anymore).

[@Ridebmx34521]

@@Spladoinkal regardless of which fulcrum(s) you’re using, it’s more about the setup of the hand/thumb. What’s demonstrated in the video leaves way too much to chance and limits consistency. This applies to percussion as a whole, not just marching. Efficiency is efficiency and consistency is consistency

[@tylerpedersen9836]

While to an extent technique is subjective, tip #5 in this video is most certainly counter productive and will be harmful to development of solid and dynamic hand technique. The level of finesse, control, dynamic range, and speed that the top players have always comes from having a solid (not to say tight or constrictive) fulcrum. Putting the thumb under the stick practically eliminates the control necessary to get any dynamic power or control and makes measured rebound an impossibility - the strokes will necessarily be sloppy and uneven. You should reconsider, I fear this advice may lead novices astray/set back their development.

[@ChrisCawthray]

There are MANY drummers that would disagree with your opinion on thumb position. Furthermore, using a concept like "you may be guilty of...", whether it's a figure of speech or not, is counter-productive.

[@christophegragnic8681]

About tip #3 Todd Suchermann's advice is even to use the tip, which you do on unaccented hits. Thx for the great content! Great playing and teaching!

[@krusher74]

I find it hard to believe he did not take about using the tip at all.

[@0Freguenedy0]

That leg bounce helped me A Lot with the cajon. And you can even put a shaker on the leg to make 8th, 16ths with the shaker by bouncing more to make the shake

[@christopherbassett8585]

Stephen, you have helped Me immeasurably, after 40 + years of self taught drumming- l am passing on your insight and wisdom to my young bass player/guitarist/ solid drummer Josh (23) as so many of us old drummer Dogs do ( Phil Collins, John Bonham, Richard Starkey aka Ringo) many thx🥁CB.Ottawa 🇨🇦✌

[@comissar]

So many thanks for the thumb tip Stephen, I was struggling with my left hand about my double and triple strokes, now with a lower placement the stick feels more bouncy and is easier to keep faster tempos. Again, many thanks. Your content is very helpfull. Greetings from Catalonia.

[@robinbhairam7508]

I honestly thought I was the last heel down player on the planet! Very useful video thanks Steve …

[@frederickchubay9657]

Stephen, as always, this video is mega helpful. Currently, I am working on improving my grip/ rebound with your double fulcrum technique. Today, I plan to use my middle finger and thumb exclusively and we’ll see how that feels. Cheers!

[@TheStobb50]

As a tall person I found with my pearl forum kit I turned around the bass drum to move tom-toms closer and my leg more stretched it worked brilliant for me

[@RickHavok]

God advice for students. I sit high myself an have my BD out farther too. It's important not to cramp yourself up.

[@florianschnurr6015]

Since Vinnie, Dave Weckl and Father Gadd are playing quite successful with a controlled fullcrum, I‘m not sure if your advice concerning the grip makes perfect sense.

[@fma6399]

When you watch him play, depending on the hittting angle, it seems he is not following his advice himself. This strict right or wrong approach is always a little problematic... (as no one would say, either french or german grip is the only right way of playing)

[@vincentscarpitti734]

Weckl has actually moved his “balance finger” to his middle rather than index on his right hand.

[@CantonDrummer85]

Self taught, I’ve been playing for 24 years now… started when I was 13. To non-drummers I sound great and I can make a song sound good, but I’ve never been able to do a real clean drum roll, so now I’m finally looking for good stick technique and hoping I can correct my flaws. My TD9 Roland VDrums have a great feature that allows you to see, in real time, your timing. Set a metronome and you can see your hits on a grid and if your timing is off by a hair, you’ll see it live.

[@blahblah941]

Ugh, where have you been my entire life

[@bazzweaver2599]

This tip video was great I'm an intermediate player and was making some of these mistakes, with a bit of conditioning I can probably play cleaner after watching this....thank you

[@MrMusic32150]

Hey Stephen. I truly enjoy your videos. You're definitely one of my favorite online instructors. I am among those who are self taught as a drummer, however, I have basic training through my school years as a percussionist. While watching this video, the word "technique" suddenly sunk into my thick head and I realized that's one area I have never investigated. Thanks to you, I am going to be paying more attention to this area of my drumming, but the first technique I am going to address is the way I set up my drums. I have three sets, (all electronic), and play in a band as well as occasionally helping to keep the beat for numerous jams in the area. Although my drums are generally set up in a similar fashion, I really don't have a constant method in relation to the angle of the drums and cymbals. I'm thinking this may be one of the reasons my sticks sometimes collide and sometimes hit the rims when I want to hit the strike area. Not to worry, I'll be working on the other techniques you've discussed as well, but I think consistency in set-up is paramount to accurate striking and better performance. Thanks so much for your inspiration and instruction, making us all feel like "We can do this!"

[@_AK_1947]

Thanks. I’m a total beginner, I’ve played the drums for only 3 or 4 months, so this is very useful.

[@jamie-leemason2295]

thanks for your help stephen

[@BeeBeeCJr]

Changed my whole world with just a thumbnail. Thank you so much!

[@JaredOLeary]

I enjoy your content, so I mean no disrespect when I say this, but I strongly disagree with tip #5 (the thumb tip). You can use a triangle hold between the thumb, index, and middle fingers on the stick and it allows you to have much better control over the stick without having to squeeze the stick.

[@tjboylan20]

Tip number one I naturally do it’s been years since i used a kit I’ve been thinking about getting back into it so I’ve been digging on lessons to make me better than I was because you never forget how to drum

[@vincentbuonora8477]

Great point on loose bounce technique or what ever one calls it….thumb and index soft open, index cradles….

[@jasonwiller3980]

There are a lot of ways to hold the stick. The right was is what feels best, sounds good and doesn’t hurt you. My thumb is parallel with the stick, index finger right across as the grip, tip of the middle finger is the fulcrum. I learned my grip and technique from Daniel Glass and it’s vastly improved my playing.

[@SpeakerBuilder]

Re foot pedal technique, you ought to mention that many players play the kick with the heal raised, and I agree not to play with your foot too far up the pedal, but I found that my foot would inevitably drift up the pedal as I played, and my solution was to build an extended toe stop out of wood and mounted it to my pedal, now my foot has a rest place that locates my foot in just the right place, and no more worries about drifting up the pedal too far.

[@jacquesbouchard8884]

Thanks soooooooooo much!!!! This thumb placement changed everything for me as a beginner drummer!!!!

[@Nik.No.K]

For number 1, I’ve always kept my heels up. It’s interesting to see this stuff because I’ve never even thought about a lot of it. I just put on the headphones and play. Lots to learn clearly

[@blakefoster1750]

Just learning the drums, and I've been trying to figure out what was wrong with my grip for weeks. You just solved it. Thank you!

[@Drummybrummy]

Totally disagree with thumb positioning. Used to cradle and would always end up gripping the sticks too tight when playing fast and loud even after 10 years of playing. Putting my thumb in the "wrong" position as you put it, and learning to control and manipulate my thumb on the stick has worked wonders. Also it would take YEARS to get quick powerful doubles playing heel down. I learned heel up slide in a couple months and could play Joey Jordisson fills when I was 13. Not well, but hey I could play them.

[@MsJdub99]

Thank you! I have not had a comfortable grip until I tried out how you explained your’s. What a difference. Just learning, only have a practice pad, but was getting a bit discouraged. Excited to move forward!

[@Cutzrec]

Thanks for always share such a great tips

[@hfranke07]

With the HH I do a left to right movement, where I have my heel go to the right on 1 and to the left on 2, right on 3 and left on 4.... this way I dont only count the quater notes, but keep the 2 and 4..... just a wee thing.

[@pauldeakin7727]

What a great video! I just stumbled across it as I was looking for some basic practice techniques. So great to see someone focus on foot work! Thanks, Stephen!

[@ShawnxEdge]

I had to grab a drum stick to see if I hold it right. It’s something I’ve never thought about in 20+ years. I hold my sticks right.

[@Heatherhigleydrums]

My number 1 mistake for beginners (doing heel up style) is taking the foot completely off the bass pedal to play a hit causing loss of control... instead, only come up enough so toes are still attached but the beater has moved back. Also beginners often hold their foot up in the air for a bit which causes aching and injury. Never hold it up. Micro holds over a whole song will be very sore and distracting to your playing ability. In grooves lift on the hit of the hi hat count just before where you need the bass and then you won't have to hold it up and wait, you can just release immediately =no tension, and this trigger becomes muscle memory. The hat pedal bounce/step action can be cool once you get it down but honing the muscle memory to weave many random bass patterns through it and it not mess up the hat a bit can take a relatively long time depending on the person. Don't feel bad if you are a real beginner and that doesn't work accurately the moment you vary bass parts like that in the video... it's a great goal long term goal though - great for independence!

[@Festyblurter]

So nice to watch a KZbin that doesn’t begin with “what’s up guys” and then a boring monologue pretending we are good friends. 😅. Great video man!

[@brandonfaulknermusic]

There is some good info here and some not so good. I like the channel, but I do dislike bad info on technique, especially hand technique. Before I'm attacked on this comment please ask me why I posted first. Stephen, you have a good channel here, if you are interested I'd be happy to share with you why I disagree with your thumb placement.

[@Ridebmx34521]

Preach. No lies detected. Respectfully, Stephen doesn’t seem to have a complete understanding of the differences between contact and pressure, and how they impact rebound.

[@tylerpedersen9836]

Agreed.

[@josiahhampton2094]

Very curious y’all. I’d love to see a friendly discussion on the channel! Nothing to lose, everything to gain!

[@josiahhampton2094]

As a player of 15yrs, I’m curious. I have found following his thumb placement tip transformative. Would love to have more discussion.

[@brandonfaulknermusic]

@@josiahhampton2094 Im totally down with a discussion. I'll have a video up in the next week explaining grip as well.

[@tommodeski8637]

Got a tip for you, your bass drum beater should hit drum at 90 degrees, yours goes past 90, it did wonders for me when i fixed it, u need to lift the front of your bass drum a little.. Thomas Langs concert tom kit set up video shows the front of his bass drums are off the ground a little..loved the hand tips thx!!

[@danlc95]

For #5, try keeping your thumb on the the sick, and letting your fingers relax. You aren't letting your fingers relax until you move your thumb. No reason to do that, just relax your fingers. For whatever reason you're restricting your fingers when you have the thumb in it's proper position. If you keep your fulcrum strong, and relax the fingers, you'll get proper wrist rotation, and rebound. This is the same trchnique Jeff Porcaro used.

[@tophatjohnny]

What’s good for the right hand is good for the left hand! 😉 Nice of Stephen to share his opinions as everyone can learn from anyone if your my mind is open.

[@robbie8085]

Thank you! I think my grip has been hampering my doubles ! Good tips!

[@tunneltu]

what if you play with heal up? I`ve done that my whole life so I strugggle so hard with heal down

[@toustin]

All 5 great tips! Thanks

[@lyont4473]

I've had a drumset for about a year now and I've been drumming for and 3.5 years now. Im more of a marching drummer and I've just recently been wanting to start playing drumset more and more

[@lyont4473]

😳I've never heard anyone ever say that your thumb needs to be below the stick

[@richwilson5969]

Great information. not related to video could you tell me what hats you are playing and ride. Thanks so much

[@larryadams8817]

If I am playing the ride cymbal and floor tom a lot I sometimes put my pinky finger on the top of the drumstick. I only do this with my right hand and somewhat subconsciously.

[@fanfancheungdrums]

That’s not every drummer willing to share this kind of details. Cool bro!Thanks 😊

[@Touchmyviolin]

thank you for this! As a beginner, i find this very helpful for me!

[@Genero222]

As many have mentioned, tip 5 isn’t great advice in my opinion. I’d consider it sometimes okay to do if playing left hand parts that don’t require much control like a basic back beat. Everything can be played with fulcrum in tact, but I think it’s okay to add some breathing room in there when playing really high strokes where fine muscle control isn’t all that necessary.

[@lukepippin4781]

I’ve been playing for about a year now, and I felt like I kept getting worse. As you were explaining this stuff I started to realize the reason my playing is horrible is because I’m using an office chair with messed up pneumatic ram. My snare is half way between my bellybutton and my nipples. I cannot operate my pedals like that. I’m gonna have to make a seat for the stool legs that came with my second hand drum set.

[@6oseph]

I typically feel more comfortable using a more German grip as I was in drumline all of highschool it’s a good challenge slightly altering it

[@Ridebmx34521]

German is pretty counter productive in a rudimental setting... and well... almost any setting. It limits the ability to effectively and efficiently enhance strokes with the fingers. It also moves the stick out of alignment with the forearm which places less mass behind the stroke. In short, this means your hand must do more work to stop the stick. German also places the thumb on the side of the stick which requires extraneous fulcrum pressure for control often creating a harsher sound than playing American or French.

[@vitaliisymonenko3700]

Thanks for your smart ideas and sharing experience, it is very useful for me now!

[@diiegopc]

I'm working on the thumb placement

[@Spladoinkal]

Good stuff! I learned some things after 25 years of drumming! One thing though, I do the hihat pedal bounce thing normally, but with jazz I don't. With jazz the band likes to hear the hihat very pronounced so I do full strokes with that. Only on jazz though.

[@johncole015]

When I started playing again December 2007 after a 16 year layoff first thing I did was learn to play left handed too.

[@fredtrax4574]

100% agree! The limit is the weak hand.

[@danielschroder6678]

#5 is really important, but the later explanation is kind of misleading and, frankly, inconsistent. Bear with me. Yes, you CAN use a cradling grip, but that way you lose out on all control you have with your thumb. Having you thumb beneath the stick degrades it to a seat instead of being a driver. Using American Grip, the outside of your hands will (roughly, in snare position, o.c. changing for left or right side playing into more French or German positions) point towards the outside and upwards in a 45° fashion. This way, your thumbs end up half on the side, half on top of the stick. Do not want to hinder the rebound? Move back your thumb BEFORE impact, it has joints! Use your thumb to guide the stick, release it like a ball thrown into the surface you wish to hit and catch it back on its way up. You fingers should give the sticks freedom in the moment of impact and conteol on its way up and down. The best thing? You use this technique yourself already, visible in all of the later hand close ups! :) Thumb is on side/top, controlling the downward path of the stick before it hits the surface. Why not teach what you actually use and what actually works, ibstead of what has become a staple in drum in struction videos that no one ever uses? This os confusing for beginners!

[@michaelrobinson3104]

Perfectly stated!

[@davidgomersall7185]

In fairness he did go go on to say that he shifts his grip but the place to start from is having the thumb lower down. It does entirely depend on what you are playing as to how you adjust your grip but, as an immediate trouble shoot for why you aren't ot getting rebound or easy flow around the kit it's a good thing to look at.

[@Ridebmx34521]

This is what a degree from Reinhardt University looks like I guess. Can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone preach let the thumb be below the stick. Stephen is also the only person I know with a degree from there. First I’ve even heard of the percussion program there. Probably a decent reason for it too.

[@sofakingdom09]

Dude, best and most comprehensive drum content for learning. Articulated so well. Thank you!

[@ToomanyFrancis]

Tip #5 is not a technique that you should be teaching beginners. It's not a "wrong" technique, but there's a lot more to it than just the way your thumb is placed that you might not even notice. Teaching a strict T fulcrum is very important in beginner drum lessons.

[@ronanderson9960]

Great video, I’m a total beginner and older! Always wanted to learn, now I’m going for it! Thanks

[@Arsh_24]

How's it going...

[@RomanZozulya]

As always, very useful! Great tips

[@estebanpercussion]

Nice video, Good tips, but I can't agree with # 5. Thumb placement is everything with a thumb higher up on the stick. Perhaps the issue with folks who haven't been able to achieve good rebound with this is their grip is too tight? My old drum professor used to call stick grips, "Positions", rather then grips. A thumb up higher on the stick puts less finger on the stick and produces more rebounds then a thumb below the stick. Do a stick test and you'll see it happen in real time.

[@Chiroman527]

Man, I have a problem with my left foot in Tip No.1. It is a great tip, but arthritis in my hips prohibits this action. Oh well, I have to deal with it. I'm 69 YO and only play Recreationally. Stephen, terrific , Practical advise that Does Come in Handy !! The Fulcrum point in the hands especially good. Happy Drumming all, I'm Trying to do that ...

[@charlesmaryska8034]

Hey Aldo, I'm also 69 yrs. Old and still playing my Gretsch USA Customs drums But, I designed & built an Air chair for myself & my Dad back in the 1960's when my Dad was hurting from Rumatoid Arthritis and Crippling Arthritis. There were a couple different manufacturers out there that made the Air Chairs. You can adjust the air pressure so it takes the shock away from the lower spine and hips, ok? Let me know if you find them. Charlie M.

[@johnnewsham10]

Being a size 13 shoe, I always wondered what it’d feel like to be able to play with shoes on

[@dylanbaldwin7934]

I wear 11s and yah it feels better for me than without. Grips the pedal and just gives a different feel.

[@kingzor100]

i cant play with shoes at all ik play barefoot XD

[@FreeRPGer]

Hmmm. I'm going to try to be more aware of technique # 5. Not so much be aware of my thumb placement - that's fine. But I must focus on using my middle finger more than my index finger. I already do most of your tips here, but I always seem to get a callous on the right side of my index finger on my snare hand (left), by clenching the stick too tightly with my index finger or something (too tight into the crevice 'tween thumb & finger). Going to try & be aware of the 1st tip (#5).

[@PinkiesBrain]

not meaning to troll- and totally thankful for the tut- but.. Im actually trying to get my techniques right and regarding holding the sticks- @Stephen Clark does actually- as far as I can see- not really hold the sticks like the way he instructs. you can stop the vid at various places when he plays the snare e.g. 12:38 and you can see his thumb is mostly at the side of the stick - often the nail is more pointing upward than downward and the space between the index and thump is narrow. I´d say I hold my sticks roughly like him when playing and everytime when I try to loosen it up and angle my thumb down to create space I lose precision and the stick is movin left n right. Not sayin its not possible- I just don´t get it. My rebound is ok- but I have the feeling I lack control.

[@Isabella-hd1gt]

As a newbie drummer it is concerning that there is so much debate on how to hold the the sticks properly. Having my thumb under the stick seemed to instantly improve my grip, especially for my left hand. I think I'm going to stick with that for now.

[@RickHavok]

Try crashing the side of the cymbals instead of the part facing you, so you glace off them without unnecessary movements.

[@martinjgriffiths]

Love your lessons! You're a good teacher

[@ranzio7304]

This video is very helpful for a beginner like me!! Thanks a lot!!🙂

[@StoyanStoyanov88]

Best grip for hands without a pain 💯💯💯

[@johnzhuang4659]

@Stephen, thank you for all the tips! I have a problem with my gripping: the drum stick keeps turning if I don’t grab it tightly with the thumb, and sometimes the stick even keeps slipping up or down. How should I fix that? Thanks!

[@bielzinhorck8636]

Hi, I'm from Brazil, I got to know the channel now, I managed to understand a little, if it had subtitles in Portuguese it would help a lot, you explain a lot more there are some things I don't understand because of the language🇧🇷

[@dougtorkelson8977]

This was awesome. Thank you.

[@julienpillonca6686]

Good energy .very important when you are a teacher. I suscribe sir.

[@xianfengyan6636]

It’s very important basic basic techniques ! It’s very helpful!

[@marc8vino]

The thumb placement under does not seem to have enough grip for power strokes. I've been studying percussion and drum set focused since the early 70's. Many different teachers and approaches over the years. It was more the norm from Marching Band, symphonic, Jazz, to Rock to have the thumb on the side of the stick if you are playing German to Western grips. Thumbs up like you said for more French. Tommy Igoe seems to be saying the same thing. Just not to get to hung up on grips and do what works. I just never could do what I could with a fulcrum point from my thumb compared to it off the side more. I still focus on an open grip with lots of space in the hand but my thumb pad is usually part to the fulcrum. Always curious on different ways to improve. I wonder if most of the other professionals you run into have the thumb off to the side like this? I don't know many that do. I love watching your channel. There is a lot of great info.

[@marc8vino]

Using the index as the other side of the Fulcrum is what I was retrained to do in college and from there after. The trick is not to use the middle joint. You use the small tip joint to create space and movement. I had to use a thick marker running between my index and middle/other finger to help retrain what I had done from 6th grade to college freshman. That moves the pressure point toward the tip of my index finger joint. Many hours of playing to re train this. It's hard to explain in text but I show all my students in person and help guide them to their own natural relaxed way.

[@marc8vino]

I am going to revisit the grip you are suggesting here. It's almost the way I was first taught as a kid. It should be a fun exploration to see where it goes.

[@iWerli]

I played drums from 16-20 but now that im 27 i bought a kit and unfortunately i have a wrist issue where the rebound of the stick hitting my palm agitates my top wrist bones (carpal bones) regardless of technique. I'm currently using a wrist splint to hopefully heal whatever is wrong with my wrist (i believe ive strained it from lifting weights every day, and stick rebound when drumming agitates it)

[@BrianTonggg]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@joerico9461]

Quarter and Ghost Notes help with the groove and make it sound more full and groovy baby groovy 😎 , lol good video thanks for your time

[@emmeraudelarche8333]

at 7:55 you talked about how to hit the cymbals correctly, especially the smaller ones. Mine is 16", I always hit it with the part of my stick that's right under the olive (it's what we say in French idk what you say in English). Would you consider it fine?

[@colecrick]

Thank you! This has been incredibly helpful.

[@lordgeyik]

Good crash riding tip👍

[@bigjmal]

Why is there so much variation in KZbin videos on how to hold your sticks. I honestly just watched a video with the fulcrum on the first finger not the second and for the full thumbprint to be on the stick.

[@WayDubKYC]

Great video man. Thanks for it. Also, those socks look super comfortable. 🤣

[@alexm66]

Most of the negative comments coming from haters with channels but zero views, zero subscribers. They have the illusion that they speak for the whole nation of drummers too. Tip #5 is one of the best if you think twice, and if you ever have thought about improving your ability to play ghost notes. Yes, in cheap Canadian Rock there's no ghost notes played, and that's why you overlook the importance of having a loose fulcrum.

[@KatzRool]

lmao and who are you?

[@Launchpadofficial]

Oh shit I’ve been hitting my cymbals right all along and I didn’t even know 😂. You snap sticks a bit tho my last pair lasted a month haha

[@therealbregeduur]

I feel like every "don't do this, do that" warrants an asterisk; some dont's definitely can be used to convey a certain feel that can't be replicated with the correct technique. Mostly n°2, the shouldering, for some more aggressive, heavy handed parts can definitely restrict your playing into a more mellow experience if you wish to just beat the crap out of your audience

[@juliodefreitas157]

Awesome lesson and thank you for sharing. 💙💛

[@nickoysylvester5502]

Thank you very much I really appreciate this video.

[@screamo4211]

my left foot does that with the toe down naturally and my left foot heel naturally kind of swings left and right off the pedal while my toe stays planted on the hi hat pedal. even when i’m not playing or opening and closing the hats my left toe stays on the pedal and my heel swings left and right. it’s hard to stop doing that.